Volunteer-Course/ Trail-Blazers

Working outdoors, this group builds the track, ensures it is safe, signs the course, and then cleans it up in the Spring. On Event day, they survey the race courses for safety and event quality.

Who is In Charge?

Context For All Roles

Safety Considerations:  Volunteers need to be prepared to work outdoors. Steel toe boots are required for volunteers using power tools. Gloves, food, water, and appropriate dress for the conditions is required for all, and are supplied by the volunteers. The Birkie provides hi-vis vests, earplugs, hardhats and visors.

Location: Starting point is primarily the Waskehegen Maintenance area in Blackfoot Park except for the summer maintenance when the crews will start from one of the staging areas in the Blackfoot Park. Transporation to these starting points is the responsibility of the Volunteer.

Training: Volunteer orientation occurs before each work session. Trail-Blazer Chief provides a safety briefing, mentorship and guidance. Virtual briefing in January. Volunteer Orientation. Onsite training.

Roles Needed

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	090-Course/Trails-Chief
Description	Preparing and maintaining the course to ensure a safe and enjoyable Event for the participants. Designs the course accommodating external changes (e.g. required by Alberta Parks) or internal changes (e.g. adding, removing an event). Plans the schedule of work and volunteer requirements. Develops a budget (e.g. rentals, tools). Works with Loppet Chief for the approval of the plans/budgets. Coordinates work throughout the seasons. Ensures stations are equipped (e.g. firewood, picnic tables). Liaison with Alberta Parks Staff. Organize site cleanup post-Birkie and tidy up for next year Birkie.
Volunteer Requirements	Good organizational and people skills. Sufficient free-time to supervise work activities. Familiarity with tools and equipment is desirable. Good communication skills.
When Needed	Fall pre-Birkie, intermittently in the Fall for work activities. Intermittently in January and February. Wednesday to Sunday of Birkie Week. Intermittently post-Birkie.
Times Needed	20-40 hours in the fall split between planning and work activities. 30-50 hours Birkie Week. 10-20 hours post-Birkie
Number Needed	1

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	091-Course/Trails-Sign Inventory
Description	Arrange and inventory course signage. Place course signage into Sign Shed for storage.
Volunteer Requirements	Some organizational skills. Volunteers need to provide their own food and water and suitable clothing for the weather. Volunteers must be able to arrange their own transportation to and from Waskehegen Staging Area, Blackfoot Recreation Area
When Needed	March, 2024 A warm day will be selected
Times Needed	9:00AM – 2:00 PM
Number Needed	3

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	092-Course/Trails-Long Course Signs
Description	Set out signs on 55 km and 31 km courses Crews will travel within Blackfoot park by snowmobile along race courses setting out distance and directional signage.
Volunteer Requirements	Experience operating snowmobile is desirable. Volunteers need to provide their own food and water and suitable clothing for the weather and travel by snowmobile. Volunteers must be able to arrange their own transportation to and from Waskehegen Staging Area and Blackfoot Recreation Area Note: Safety equipment (hi-vis vests, earplugs, safety helmet, hand and power tools are provided).
When Needed	Wednesday of Race Week, February 7, 2024
Times Needed	8:00AM – 4:30 PM
Number Needed	5

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	093-Course/Trails-Short Course Signs
Description	Set out signs on 13 km and 7 km courses. Crews will travel within Blackfoot park by snowmobile along race courses setting out distance and directional signage.
Volunteer Requirements	Experience operating snowmobile is desirable. Volunteers need to provide their own food and water and suitable clothing for the weather and travel by snowmobile. Volunteers must be able to arrange their own transportation to and from Waskehegen Staging Area and Blackfoot Recreation Area Note: Safety equipment (hi-vis vests, earplugs, safety helmet, hand and power tools are provided).
When Needed	February 8, All Day Thursday of Race Week, February 8, 2024
Times Needed	8:00AM – 4:30 PM
Number Needed	3

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	094-Course/Trails-Ski Reconnaissance
Description	Identify areas along race courses in Blackfoot park where trail maintenance is needed. Report areas and description of work required to Chief of Course.
Volunteer Requirements	Volunteers need to provide their own ski equipment, food and water and suitable clothing for skiing sections of the race courses. Volunteers must be able to arrange their own transportation to and from Waskehegen Staging Area and Blackfoot Recreation Area Note: Volunteers will not be supervised during this activity. You may wish to participate in this role as part of your training for the Birkie races and with other skiers.
When Needed	January to Birkie Friday, specific times and dates per the volunteer
Times Needed	Per the volunteer
Number Needed	10 Unlimited skiers accepted

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	095-Course/Trails-Worker – Fall
Description	Brush clearing along edges of trails, branch trimming, rock removal, earth moving to level trail base. Work involves use of hand tools including shovels, rakes, tree pruners, and other digging tools. Crew uses power brush saws and chainsaws. Operators of power equipment require steel-toed work boots, and will receive training.
Volunteer Requirements	Volunteers need to provide their own food and water and good work gloves to protect from thorns. Volunteers must be able to arrange their own transportation to and from one of the staging areas in Blackfoot park as designated by the Chief of Course. Volunteers will then walk into worksites using the trails within the park.
When Needed	Selected weekdays Mid-September to the end of October
Times Needed	Weekdays only 9:00AM – 3:30 PM
Number Needed	12 Unlimited workers accepted

Role Specifics	Role Details
Role ID, Area and Title:	096-Course/Trails-Worker – Winter
Description	Brush clearing along edges of trails, branch trimming, snow farming. Work involves use of hand tools including tree pruners, and snow shovels. Crews will travel within Blackfoot park by snowmobile to attend to areas of concern. Familiarity with operation of a snowmobile is an asset, but not required.
Volunteer Requirements	Volunteers need to provide their own food and water and suitable clothing for winter work, and travel via snowmobile within the park. Volunteers must be able to arrange their own transportation to and from Waskehegen Staging Area in Blackfoot Recreation Area as designated by Chief of Course. Note: Safety equipment (hi-vis vests, earplugs, safety helmet, and tools are provided).
When Needed	Select weekdays December to February
Times Needed	Weekdays only 9:00AM – 3:30 PM
Number Needed	4